The Modern Madonna: Maybe We Got It All Wrong
With the announcement of her new “Celebration Tour“, Madonna has been the subject of a lot of conversations lately. The music and fashion icon is no stranger to being the…
With the announcement of her new "Celebration Tour", Madonna has been the subject of a lot of conversations lately. The music and fashion icon is no stranger to being the center of attention. In fact, that's exactly what her whole career has been. She's always found the edge of what's socially "appropriate", and pushed just a few steps further. She seemed to be able to perfectly live on that fine line between eyebrow raising and being totally ostracized for her character choices. And we used to love her for it.
But now, Madonna is getting a lot of judgement thrown at her. About her looks. About her behavior. About that last Truth Or Dare video she released. Yes, I'm guilty of the head-shaking too. But let's think about this... She's still just pushing the boundaries the way she always has. Yes, her behavior is juvenile and crass at times, but she's not committing crimes or otherwise being a deviant of society. So what exactly is Madonna doing that's so shocking these days?
Consider this...maybe it's not about WHAT she's doing so much as WHEN she's doing it. Ever since we first saw Madonna with that diamond grill in 2013, we knew she was entering a new phase of pushing the envelope. And since then it's been lip fillers, hair extensions and sexually explicit chatter. How dare she?!?
But wait...isn't that what the Kardashians have been doing since Kim released that sex tape? And aren't they building a multi-billion dollar empire on it? Yes, yes they are. And the reason why Madonna doing it is so shocking might be because of just one difference: her age.
Back in the 1980's, Madonna was being shunned for pushing the limits of sexuality. But these days, there's not much we haven't seen in that area. Kids are learning about sex from porn. Women in music are singing about sex more explicitly than Madonna ever did. So there's not much she can do anymore to raise those eyebrows.
Maybe Madonna is simply a creature of habit adapting to a new environment. She's always put her identity in being the trailblazer for roads less traveled. Maybe she's just on the path now of defying what's "age-appropriate" in society. And, just like those after her on the road of women's sexuality, maybe women in Hollywood, and beyond, some day will thank her for it. - Wendy Rush, 96.3KKLZ
And since we're talking about old school Madonna, here are some throwback photos of the Queen of Pop.
1986 Madonna.
Brenda Chase / Stringer via Getty Images1986 Madonna.
Madonna
Frank Micelotta / Staff via Getty ImagesNEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 29: Singer Madonna holds a copy of her book "The English Roses" after reading to children and signing copies at the Barnes & Noble store in Rockefeller Center September 29, 2003 in New York City. (Photo by Frank Micelotta/Getty Images)
Snatch Premiere Arrivals
Vince Bucci / Stringer via Getty Images384398 06: Actress-singer Madonna and husband, director Guy Ritchie arrive for the premiere of his new film "Snatch" January 18, 2001 in Hollywood, CA. (Photo by Vince Bucci/Newsmakers)
Opening Night Of Madonna's "ReInvention" Tour
Frank Micelotta / Staff via Getty ImagesINGLEWOOD, CA - MAY 24: Singer Madonna performs onstage during the opening night of her "Re-Invention" World Tour 2004 at The Great Western Forum, May 24, 2004 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Frank Micelotta/Getty Images)
Final Dress Rehearsal For Madonna's "Re-Invention" Tour
Frank Micelotta / Staff via Getty ImagesINGLEWOOD, CA - MAY 21: Singer Madonna performs during the final dress rehearsal for the "Re-Invention" World Tour 2004 at The Great Western Forum, May 21, 2004 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Frank Micelotta/Getty Images)
Madonna Signs Her Book "Lotsa de Casha" At Borders Books
Frank Micelotta / Staff via Getty ImagesNEW YORK - JUNE 07: Singer Madonna poses with children from Public School 191 after reading her latest children's book "Lotsa de Casha" at Borders Bookstore June 7, 2005 in New York City. "Lotsa de Casha" is the last of five children's books by Madonna. (Photo by Frank Micelotta/Getty Images)
MTV TRL With Madonna
Evan Agostini / Staff via Getty ImagesNEW YORK - OCTOBER 17: (U.S. TABS OUT) Singer Madonna appears onstage during MTV's Total Request Live at the MTV Times Square Studios on October 17, 2005 in New York City. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Getty Images)
Premiere Of Madonna's Documentary "I'm Going To Tell You A Secret"
Evan Agostini / Staff via Getty ImagesNEW YORK - OCTOBER 18: Singer Madonna attends the screening of her new documentary film "I'm Going To Tell You A Secret" at Loews Lincoln Square October 18, 2005 in New York City. The film will air October 21 on MTV. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Getty Images)
Madonna in 1999
Brenda Chase / Stringer via Getty Images6/10/99 West Hollywood, CA. Madonna and Rupert Everett at the DGA Theater for the premiere of "An Ideal Husband," benefiting The LIFE Foundation. Photo by Brenda Chase/Online USA, Inc.
Arrivals At "Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire" World Premiere
Chris Harding / Stringer via Getty ImagesLONDON - NOVEMBER 06: Singer Madonna and daughter Lourdes arrive at the World Premiere of "Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire" at the Odeon Leicester Square on November 6, 2005 in London, England. The film is based on the fourth installment of author J.K. Rowling's novel series. (Photo by Chris Harding/Getty Images)
Madonnna Promotes Her New Album "'Confessions On A Dance Floor"
Junko Kimura / Staff via Getty ImagesTOKYO, JAPAN - DECEMBER 7: (INTERNET OUT, WIRELESS OUT) Singer Madonna poses for photographers during a press conference on December 7, 2005 in Tokyo, Japan. She is in Japan to promote her new album "'Confessions On A Dance Floor". (Photo by Junko Kimura/Getty Images)
Vanity Fair Oscar Party
Mark Mainz / Staff via Getty ImagesWEST HOLLYWOOD, CA - MARCH 05: Singer Madonna arrives at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party at Mortons on March 5, 2006 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Mark Mainz/Getty Images)
Madonna In Concert At Madison Square Garden - Opening Night
Evan Agostini / Staff via Getty ImagesNEW YORK - JUNE 28: Singer Madonna performs in concert at Madison Square Garden June 28, 2006 in New York City. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Getty Images)
Arthur And The Invisibles - UK Film Premiere
Gareth Cattermole / Staff via Getty ImagesLONDON - JANUARY 25: Singer Madonna arrives with her husband Guy Ritchie and children Rocco and Lourdes at the UK Premiere of "Arthur And The Invisibles" at the Vue West End Cinema, Leicester Square on January 25, 2007 in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)
Madonna in Concert
Pascal Le Segretain / Staff via Getty ImagesPARIS - SEPTEMBER 20: Singer Madonna performs on stage on September 20, 2008 at the Stade de France stadium in Paris, France. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)
2009 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Graydon Carter - Arrivals
Alberto E. Rodriguez / Staff via Getty ImagesWEST HOLLYWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 22: Singer Madonna arrives at the 2009 Vanity Fair Oscar Party hosted by Graydon Carter held at the Sunset Tower on February 22, 2009 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)
New York Screening of NINE Co-Hosted by Martini
Joe Kohen / Stringer via Getty ImagesNEW YORK - DECEMBER 15: Singer Madonna and daughter Lourdes Leon attend the New York screening of NINE co-hosted by Martini at Ziegfeld Theatre on December 15, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Joe Kohen/Getty Images for Martini)
Madonna in Concert
Pascal Le Segretain / Staff via Getty ImagesPARIS - SEPTEMBER 20: Singer Madonna performs on stage on September 20, 2008 at the Stade de France stadium in Paris, France. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)
Throwback Madonna
Brenda Chase / Stringer via Getty Images373551 01: Madonna attends the premiere of "An Ideal Husband" benefiting the Life Foundation June 10, 1999 at the Directors Guild of America theater in West Hollywood, CA. (Photo by Brenda Chase/Online USA)
Awards Room At MTV Europe Music Awards 2005
Gareth Cattermole / Staff via Getty ImagesLISBON, PORTUGAL - NOVEMBER 03: Madonna poses in the Awards Room at the 12th annual MTV Europe Music Awards 2005 at the Atlantic Pavilion on November 3, 2005 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images for MTV)
